Rubio's Empty Praise Rings Hollow as Azerbaijan Jails Journalists on Independence Day

Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, celebrated on May 28, 2025, stirs pride and possibility. The U.S. Department of State, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, offered heartfelt congratulations, praising Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and its role as an energy powerhouse. Yet, this moment reveals a stark contradiction. How can we honor independence while journalists languish in prison and dissenters face torture? The U.S. must act decisively, placing human rights at the heart of its partnership with Baku.

Azerbaijan’s strategic importance is clear. Its gas exports, rising 5.9 percent in early 2025, fuel Europe’s push for energy independence. The Southern Gas Corridor delivers vital supplies to nations like Italy and Bulgaria, cementing Baku’s global influence. But this cannot overshadow the regime’s repression. Activists are silenced, elections lack legitimacy, and media freedoms erode. True independence demands more than borders; it requires freedom for every citizen.

The State Department’s brief mention of 'fundamental freedoms' feels hollow against Azerbaijan’s reality. Ahead of COP29, the government intensified its crackdown, targeting critics to burnish its image. This isn’t progress; it’s suppression dressed up for the world stage. The U.S. has a responsibility to challenge this, not offer empty praise. Ignoring abuses risks endorsing a system that betrays its own people.

The South Caucasus, a region marked by conflict and competing powers, hangs in the balance. Azerbaijan’s 2020 territorial gains and the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh reintegration reshaped the region. A draft peace treaty with Armenia, agreed upon in March 2025, holds promise for stability. Yet, Baku’s demands for constitutional changes in Armenia and unrestricted access to Nakhchivan threaten to unravel it. Why celebrate a process that sidesteps justice?

This Independence Day is more than a milestone; it’s a moment to demand change. The U.S. must use its leverage to push for reforms, not settle for a partnership rooted in convenience. Our values and the region’s future depend on bold action.

Azerbaijan’s pipelines and strategic location make it a key ally. Its gas counters Russia’s influence, and its borders check Iran’s ambitions. The State Department’s focus on energy cooperation reflects this reality. But prioritizing profit over principle is a dangerous misstep. Repression festers, breeding instability. The U.S. must insist on reforms, starting with freeing political prisoners and safeguarding journalists.

The evidence is undeniable. International monitors have declared Azerbaijan’s elections unfair. The regime’s pre-COP29 crackdowns silenced activists and media, part of a broader pattern across post-Soviet states. The U.S. has powerful tools—sanctions, visa bans, and aid conditions—to hold Baku accountable. Why hesitate to wield them with purpose?

Some defend Azerbaijan’s strategic role, citing its energy exports and counterterrorism ties. They argue that pipelines and stability matter more than protests. But this view misses the mark. A government that jails its critics and ignores human rights isn’t a dependable partner; it’s a risk. The South Caucasus needs democratic progress to thrive, not just infrastructure. The U.S. must tie cooperation to clear, measurable reforms.

History supports this stance. When the U.S. recognized Azerbaijan in 1991, it paired energy partnerships with expectations of reform. Waivers of Section 907 restrictions carried promises of democratic progress. Today, Azerbaijan falls short of its OSCE commitments. The State Department’s cautious nod to press freedom undermines that legacy. We need action, not timid gestures.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, praised by Rubio, marks progress but falls short of true resolution. The March 2025 draft treaty outlines mutual recognition and an end to legal disputes. Yet, Baku’s demands for Armenia to rewrite its constitution and grant unimpeded access to Nakhchivan risk derailing the agreement. Peace built on pressure isn’t sustainable. The U.S. must champion a process that upholds the rights of both nations and prioritizes displaced communities.

The human toll of this conflict cannot be ignored. Displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh still seek justice, their property rights unresolved. Azerbaijan’s failure to adhere to international humanitarian law deepens mistrust. The U.S. should demand accountability, not merely applaud a draft treaty. A lasting peace requires reparations and protections for all affected, not just territorial deals.

Some argue that Azerbaijan’s strength guarantees regional order, especially against Russia and Iran. They see moral demands as distractions from stability. But this perspective overlooks a critical truth: peace without justice fuels future unrest. The South Caucasus needs a framework grounded in fairness, not dominance. The U.S. can shape this by linking support to reforms.

Azerbaijan’s Independence Day should spark hope, not complacency. The U.S. has a chance to redefine this partnership. By conditioning energy and security ties on human rights, we can foster a South Caucasus that is stable and equitable. Targeted sanctions on abusive officials, support for independent media, and pressure for fair elections are concrete steps toward this vision.

Turning a blind eye to abuses for quick gains betrays our principles and our security. A regime that suppresses its people cannot be a trusted ally. The South Caucasus, caught in a web of rivalries, needs democratic foundations, not more autocrats. Azerbaijan’s potential as an energy leader shines, but only if it embraces true freedom.

This moment calls for courage. Azerbaijan’s Independence Day is a challenge to act. The U.S. must stand for justice, demand reforms, and forge a partnership that honors our highest ideals. For Azerbaijan’s people and the South Caucasus, we must rise to the occasion.